Summer in the Park 2025 is set to make a vibrant return across Greenwich and Bexley as The Arts Trust brings back its much-loved festival programme for another year of community celebration and artistic excellence.
Scheduled to run from May through August, the festival will transform parks and public spaces across the two boroughs into dynamic stages for free cultural events. Locations include Cygnet Square, Danson House, Maryon Park, Gallions Park, Greenwich Park, and St Osyth Priory.
This year’s programme also marks an exciting expansion, promising more performances, workshops, and family-friendly events. Following the closure of their long-time collaborator Greenwich Dance, the Arts Trust assumed full creative leadership in 2024.
This shift in direction led to a rejuvenated vision and the introduction of new event partners, igniting a season of inclusive performances that not only captivated local residents but also stimulated the local economy.
Record-Breaking Engagement in 2024
The 2024 edition of Summer in the Park recorded remarkable achievements:
- 14 individual festivals delivered
- 76 professional shows staged
- 189 community performers featured
- 12,643 participants engaged in 111 workshops
- A total audience of 17,361 reached
Local businesses reported a 60% to 80% increase in weekend trading revenue during the festival events, highlighting the economic benefits of cultural engagement.
Prioritising Inclusion and Community Impact
The ethos of keeping all events free has proven key to broad accessibility, particularly for diverse and underrepresented communities. In fact, 45% of attendees identified as belonging to global majority ethnic groups. Attendance surged by 133% in 2024 compared to the previous year, underlining the programme’s growing appeal.
The festival’s success has not gone unnoticed. It was shortlisted for the Greenwich Business Awards 2024 in the Tourism and Culture category and proudly secured the 2025 London Sports Award for Community Impact.
Silent Disco SkateJam & Street Food Festival Returns
Returning on a grander scale is the Silent Disco SkateJam & Street Food Festival, spanning four Sundays in 2025.
Delivered in partnership with Vibes on Vibes and backed by Peabody, the programme aims to boost health, combat loneliness, and foster community spirit. In 2024, it attracted 1,785 participants to SkateJams and 159 to taster workshops.
Supported by Sport England for 2025, the event continues to provide free equipment and promote mentoring, contributing to a 25% reduction in youth-related crime on event weekends.
Introducing St Osyth Summer Sounds
A brand-new addition to this year’s line-up is the St Osyth Summer Sounds: Music & Food Festival, a ticketed event taking place on 30–31 August at St Osyth Priory in Tendring. This two-day extravaganza will feature:
- Live music performances
- Local food stalls and traders
- Cooking demonstrations to promote healthy living
- Family-friendly entertainment
The event not only supports the Arts Trust’s mission to tackle rural loneliness but also stimulates the local economy by offering employment and opportunities to regional businesses.
Martin Collins, Founder and CEO at Arts Trust, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to continue bringing communities together at our long-standing Summer in the Park programme in Greenwich and Bexley and now to introduce our brand-new St Osyth Summer Sounds in Tendring, our hometown.
We couldn’t be prouder to share world-class cultural experiences right here in our local communities and we look forward to deepening our connections with the people who call Tendring home.”
The full event schedule for Summer in the Park 2025 is expected to be announced soon, with an array of outdoor dance classes, theatrical performances, community picnics, and fitness events in store.
The programme is funded and supported by a variety of organisations, including:
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- The Royal Parks
- Sport England
- Peabody Trust
- The Royal Borough of Greenwich
- Go! London
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- PRS
